47 years of riding the rails

You may have seen him through the years on the train to work.

After 47 years of service, Union Pacific engineer Eugene "Gene" Picchiotti has called it quits for retirement.

"The railroad is a lot like the military. It engulfs your life. You spend more time with the people you work with than you do with your family," says the Palatine resident.

More Coverage Video Last day on the job

Picchiotti was hired in 1961 by Chicago Northwestern, which was taken over by UP in 1995. The company runs Metra trains on three former CNW lines from Chicago to the suburbs.

At age 65, Picchiotti retired on April 25, making his last run on Metra train 640 from Harvard to Chicago.

Daily Herald photographer Joe Lewnard was there to capture the memories and emotions of Picchiotti's last day at work.